About IASMM

Welcome to the Website of the International Association for the Study of Maritime Mission (IASMM).

We are an association of people who are interested in the history and practice of the Church’s outreach to people who work in maritime professions, including merchant mariners, fishers, and others who work on the world’s oceans, lakes and waterways.

The Association was founded on 3 June 1990 in Leeds, England, and organised on 7 April at the first International Conference which was held in Tilbury, England. The Founding members initiated the International Association for the Study of Maritime Mission with the following aims:

To promote the preservation, cataloguing and publicising of sources for research in maritime mission.

To encourage maritime mission studies in places of learning.

To provide a forum for debate and discussion by conferences and publications

To stimulate and facilitate publications on maritime mission.

In September 2018, the North American Maritime Ministry Association took up management of the Association and integrated it into its overall programs of building resources and training for those currently involved in maritime ministry.

Members are engaged in a wide range of activities, including day-to-day chaplaincy work in ports worldwide, educational, social, pastoral and medical work among seafarers.

Interests range widely and include ongoing research into maritime mission, fishing communities and the history of specific societies and organisations in England, Europe, the USA, Australia and Asia.

The Association also seeks to promote research on current issues such as the welfare of crews on ships, and the future of maritime missions. We welcome your input and participation in our work, and welcome papers, articles, and information on all aspects of maritime mission throughout the world.

Please get in touch with us at executivedirector@namma.org.

Thank you!

Organizing committee:

Director: Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director, NAMMA

Editorial advisors:
Dr. Paul Mooney (Dean of the Cathedral of Ferns, County Wexford, Ireland)
Dr. Jonathan Thayer (archivist, Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey)

Our Mission

The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), a Christian association, provides fellowship, encouragement, advocacy, education, spiritual and professional development for those in maritime ministry. NAMMA is a registered 501(c)3 charity in the United States of America.